The WX-Weather has brought snow, wind and freezing temperatures to North Europe. At my QTH-Location Baildon Moor, N.England, at 1000ft above sea level the temperature dropped to 0 degrees Celsius last night and we had a threat of snow but it did not settle.
The bands were in good shape late last night/early this morning, as I worked Russia, The Ukraine, The USA and lots of other Stations from Europe using PSK31 on 40 & 80M. All signals were loud on both bands with plenty of activity, I dragged my self away around 2am to get some sleep but it wasn't easy! h.i
At present the sun is beaming with outside temperatures at 5.0 degrees Celsius and the wind is stirring making it feel even colder.
The image I have just received is from Earth orbiting weather monitoring satellite NOOA 17, which just passed by heading South West. The image shows N.W and W Europe with N.England under heavy cloud cover. I believe this is probably the best image I have received for a while using the IOIo beam, FT-847 and radio com software. 73 de The Weather Man, 2E0HTS Simon
My journey to work on my Kawasaki Z750 was becoming unnecessary now that the dark nights and late sunrises have got under way and we are now into Winter. So for the last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to use the FT-857 on 20m and 2M from in my Toyota Estima Lucida mobile Ham shack.
Conditions have been quite remarkable most mornings at around 8.00utc as I embark on my work bound journey, I am listening up and down 20m ever hopeful of some distant signals. Recently without to much tuning around I have come across some big signals, real 5/9 from the Far East.
Last week I heard a few VKs on the morning run as well as ZL1BD, who boomed through and as usual with a large following from G-land and Europe. I worked AL ZL1BD some time last year when conditions were good in my old mobile RAV-4 using the FT-100. It will be good to make the QSO on the FT-857 and latest Toyota, I will get lucky one of these fine mornings I am sure! h.i AL ZL1BD was loud again this morning at around 8.15utc on 20M, but my 50w doesn't always manage the job. :-( Especially during the early morning pile ups h.i!
The biggest surprise this week was again around 8.10 utc, when I heard Bejing-China and also Japan both on separate occasions with 5/9 signals. Unfortunately only received and again did not quite make the journey back, but as and when the cycle gains momentum I will stand a better chance.
I did manage to make QSO with Satellite confirmed qsl and fellow Ham jose EA3AGH, this morning on 20m. It was great to hear Jose on 20m instead of the usual AO-51 amateur satellite, Jose EA3AGH was coming through very well on HF.
I have still got the same antenna, Maldol HFC-20 and as previously reviewed, it still works very well indeed! The HMS-6S will get a good trying out as soon as I get some spare time.
Other activities WEATHER FAX IMAGES & RECEIVING Over the past couple of weeks, I have been considerably busy with little time available to play radio in the evenings. Even so, I have managed one or two PSK31 contacts on 40M and 80M as well as receiving weather Fax's from NORTHWOOD's nautical, meteorological and information centre.
The Fax's show detailed images and information regarding weather fronts and can be very interesting as well as very easy to receive. NORTHWOOD is just one of the many Ground Stations transmitting weather FAX and DATA.
Signals can be easily received on multiple bands at the same time during each transmission, ensuring good reception at any time of the day depending on which particular band provides the best conditions to your location. The short wave band is very accommodating and you will find plenty of signals to receive and decode. I use Radio Com 5.2 to decode the Fax transmissions, just the same way as the NOOA weather satellite transmissions. NORTHWOOD DAILY SCHEDULE RADIO COM SOFTWARE RECEIVING NORTHWOOD FAX TRANSMISSIONS TODAY'S NORTHWOOD Fax's RX On 8.038.1 USB AT 2E0HTS QTH 21.00-21.30 utc
Interface: Phono leads, TX via CAT Cable and Nomic Rig Blaster.
Software: Radio Com 5.2.
I find this side of the hobby equally as interesting as the many other forms of radio communications, I hope you find this interesting and look forward to hearing about any of your experiences and comments.
OTHER NEWS Check out M1PAC new web blog with some interesting antenna arrays as well as other goodies! IT Is Well worth a look!!
I have had a passion for tracking and receiving NOOA weather Satellites for a few years and have tried a few different antenna's along the way with some reasonable images being received. I have had the home brew IOIo beam up for the last two months and have been pleasantly surprised with its performance. The best way to ensure a clear image is achieved by having an almost inaudible sound level from the output of your radio to the sound card. In other words make sure the sound-in to your computer is set very low from the radio.
The software I have been running since 2004 is Radio Com 5.2 which has now been superseded by version 6.0. Radio Com 5.2 seems to work exceptionally well still, and I have had a lot of Radio Hams around the world getting in touch with me since they have watched the Weather Satellite videos I did for this site and Youtube.
A lot of other Hams told me that they were using WXtoIMG decoding software which allowed the user to play around with the received image and also add colour. The main concern using the WXtoIMG software was that the image quality was not so great compared to the images I had received using Radio Com. However it does work and can be downloaded free if you fancy trying it?
Radio Com 5.2 and 6.0 allows image manipulation and also provides a pallet of colours, which can be edited in once the image has been received and saved.
The only down side to Radio Com software is paying for it! The software gives you full rig control of two radios at the same time and multi mode decoding for just about everything from CW, PSK, SSTV to RTTY it has a built in digital filter as well as spectrum analyser. The actual screen is very pleasant to the eye and simple to use, however the program will not run without the Radio Com Dongle which is a serial type fitting to your computer.(Preventing any coping/pirating of the program).
Here is the Pass and course of NOOA 17 at 10.00 utc Here is this mornings image from NOOA 17 showing North Europe to North Africa received on 137.620 FM. I will be listening out for more passes whilst awaiting the solar cycle to provide some good propagation here in North England. So far a slow start!
I’ve been using the Multi band Maldol HMC-6 S antenna, for the last 3 years at my QTH as a stand by antenna and have been pleasantly surprised with its overall performance.
The Vertical Mobile/Portable antenna covers 6 bands, 40M, 15M, 10M, 6M (HF) and (VHF) 2M & 70CMS.
I’ve used it a lot for listening across the HF bands as well as some short wave frequencies, I’ve also put out some good signals and made some good DX contacts on 40M, 15M and 10M as well as 6M using a good ground plane system (20 foot Metal Container). It even Works well on 2M, I have not tried 70cms but the SWR appeared to be good across the band.
I have also got a range of Maldol Mono band mobile HF antenna’s and have been planning to try the HMC-6 fitted to the Toyota’s rear fixing instead of the mono bander’s. This has proven to be difficult to stop running the mono band Maldols, down to the good results that I can honestly say I have had. The Mono band Maldol,s especially 40M, 20M and 15M will be a hard act to follow for any mobile antenna.
This plan is now beginning to take shape mainly due to Phil M1PAC’s generous influence as Phil managed to obtain the HMC-14 C add on part, which replaces the 40M coil/whip. It turns the HFC-6 S into a 20M, 15M, 10M, 6M & 2/70CM banded antenna. Phil told me that since Maldol no longer make antennas it is virtually impossible to obtain a new HMC-6 S, but there are a few Ham Shops with a few accessories/add on bands if you look hard enough. I was definitely feeling lucky that day. If you want one, you will have to keep an eye on EBay etc.
M1PAC Phil gave me the Maldol 20M attachment as a gift, I was extremely surprised, very pleased as well as grateful as you know what! Thanks Phil, I owe you one!.
So the next stage will probably have to wait until the weekend when I can try it out on the Toyota’s, Yaesu FT-857. I am fairly confident it will work well, but I will know soon enough. If it performs as well on 20M as it does with the 40M section attached, I will be more than happy.
Any results will be posted here at HamRadioOperator.Blogspot.Com and PlanetHam.Org. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! 73
Over the weekend we managed to team up with Phil M1PAC and Craig M3CSD and headed off South in Convoy style to The Great Northern Hamfest located in Barnsley South Yorkshire. The drive took just short of an hour and passed by quickly as we enjoyed rag chewing on 2M FM.
On arriving we were joined on the frequency by Mick a local G station who kindly refreshed our memory's of the rally's location and best parking positions, which proved to be very helpful. On entering the rally I began searching the different stalls with the aid of Louise M3TLL and it wasn't long before we both spotted some bargains.
The first of three nice extension speakers I picked up was this heavy little maxon at the cost of £1.00. This had made the trip well worthwhile and is now connected to the FT-847. I picked up at CAT interface lead for the FT-847, some dipole centre's, Coaxial plugs and some wire type antenna insulators, all in mind for further projects.
As well as grabbing some bargains I bumped into some friends. Here is a regular rag chewer every Sunday evening on sked, Jeff, G0GNU inside the rally. As I walked around the rally, Steve M1ERS recognised me from the Youtube video's I've made and introduced himself. It was a real pleasure meeting Steve and putting a face to the name I've been seeing on my video comments.
Steve, M1ERS and myself Simon, 2E0HTS at Steve and company's D-STAR Stand inside the rally. Craig, M3CSD and Phil, M1PAC Carrying new radio goodies. The Barnsley people were very friendly and helpful, all in all it was a good day out and great to get another excuse to tinker around with the bits and pieces I picked up in Barnsley's Hamfest.
CQ World Wide Contest Every year I look forward to using my HF Ham Radio Station during the World Wide CQ Contest. CQ WW is where World Wide participation makes it possible to work new DX locations and rare activations brought to life by enthusiastic radio amateurs from all nations spread around the globe. The Contest lasts all weekend, 48 hours in total.
This year's Contest brought some new Countries and call signs into the humble 2E0HTS station. In total I worked 15 Zones and 64 different Countries without trying too hard. I managed 131 different QSO's in between the constant searching up and down the bands, compared to most Station's I was only playing h.i Some Station's make Thousands of QSO's as we Ham's Know already! ;-)
I really enjoyed giving a few points away during the Contest and it was nice hearing some of the regular Contest Station's as well as the new ones of course!
One big Thank you to All Station's worked!
I did manage to get some of the World Wide CQ Contest on video later on in the Contest. Watch the video to see for yourself, the splatter and pile ups at my QTH using my Yaesu FT-767GX, Home brewed Delta Loop, G5RV and Hustler Vertical. CQ WW VIDEO
Here is my Log created by Winlog32 and converted for the internet by Louise M3TLL. Thanks to Louise for putting up with the roar of HF all weekend as well as all the encouragement and support. ;-)
Today's SSTV transmission received from NA1SS at 10.11utc with a 5/9+40 signal at 2E0HTS Simon's QTH.
I also heard Richard call out and I managed to get into the ISS and Richard came back, but it was very quick as half of Europe was calling at the same time. Hopefully I will get a better QSO next time. Thanks Richard and all at ARISS.
We have all been reading about the latest radio activity on board the ISS and many of us have been following the passes of the ISS, whilst waiting in anticipation to see if we can hear any interesting transmissions from the other side of the Ionosphere.
Today I got lucky and managed to not only receive a couple of Earth Shots from space, I also heard Richard Garriot (W5KWQ) working multiple contacts across Europe under the International Space Stations call sign, NA1SS.
Here MMSSTV Software is decoding the received ISS transmission A closer look at the received image of N.West Europe An image of the Atlantic Satscape Screen shot of the position of the ISS as it moves away. I used Yaesu the FT-847, the home brew IOIo beam, GS 250 rotator and MMSSTV to decode the images whilst tracking the ISS with Satscape. Incidentally I recently un-installed the Java version of Satscape and reverted to the previous version, as I found the Java version slowed down my connection speed an awful lot? My Computer is now running back at its normal speed (Broadband Connection) with the earlier Satscape program.
I will be listening out for the ISS as well as the usual bands, have a nice weekend.
The past few days have seen some good openings on HF for me especially on 20M, with QSOs being made from my Mobile Station as well as from inside the Shack.
Shawn N3TEE from Newark in the USA and myself 2E0HTS, have been exchanging emails ever since Shawn commented on one of my videos. We have been trying to make QSO on 20 and 40M over the last couple of evenings and tonight using PSK31 we finaly made the QSO!
Shawn N3TEE came through quite loud at times 57-599 running an Icom Rig but there was slight QSB. Nether the less, we managed a 10 min QSO and can now exchange QSL. N3TEE Shawn Click to Enlarge, Shawn N3TEE's Lap Top p.c screen in RX with myself 2E0HTS coming through in The USA. Click to Enlarge,Simon 2E0HTS's Screen with Shawn N3TEE coming in loud and clear. I used my FT-767, Nomic Rigblaster, 3800Dual Core Computer,40-50 Watts through a Full wave Delta LOOP Vertically polarised.
The Actual Transmission received and transmitted at N3TEE's QTH 2E0HTS 2E0HTS 2E0HTS DE N3TEE N3TEE N3TEE K
Callsign> de 2E0HTS 2E0HTS pse k
N3TEE N3TEE de 2E0HTS 2E0HTS pse k Qe |
O
!
2E0HTS DE N3TEE
Hi Simon how are you finally made it.. HI HI
I like this mode your about a 559 559 559
BTU 2E0HTS DE N3TEE BK
N3TEE n3TEE de 2E0HTS 2E0HTS
Hello Shawn, it is great to hear you in psk loud and clea et you about a 55 report at the moment how do you copy BTU N3TEE de 2E0HTS kt ott
I copy 100 %,
Thanks for the come back..
You might want to try WSJT software
It is very good for very weak signals
But not qso's only contacts.
Here is my brag file.
16 Oct 2008 19:14:29z
2E0HTS 2E0HTS DE N3TEE N3TEE
Your RST: 559 559 559 My Name: Shawn Shawn My QTH: Newark, Delaware, USA Grid Locator: FM29do
The equipment is as follows: Rig: ICOM-706MKIIG RF Power: 25 watts Antenna: 40m Homebrew Ground Plane up 10 ft/3m Computer: Laptop/HP Pavilion AMD Turion64 Interface: Buck Rascal Software: Digipan 2.0
Operator:
Created in the Netherlands, born in the USA Age: 39 Year Old Ham Since: September 1997
QSL via Bureau, LOTW or Direct (See www.QRZ.com
2E0HTS 2E0HTS DE N3TEE N3TEE BK
N3TEE N3TEE de 2E0HTS eiE0HTS
Ok Shawn great copy your re7-599
I'm running PSK31 Deluxe vX ou just townloaded it last night it seemyytod so far.
P at autgite to work you I will be pe otinoeblog entry regarding our QuO o
I am using - oeed FT-767 and 50 e Watts into a home brew DEts eop for 20 G NAND moaete.a…IL
Ok Sha eG2 e U
Lx3TEE de 2E0HTS kuh p ER
Ok Simom,
I am starting to loose your signal I send you a screen capture of this qso.
But we made the contact!!
The other day had a contact with north dakoda
I was -24 Db below the noise when he received my signal on JT65
Great software.
BTU 2E0HTS DE N3TEE BK
N3TmQt ose,oawfa bittn ÙSB on tt e
T . But I got most of it e o
O3nd your eiSL cnra
! Please email bour address IIlo
T N3TEE N3TEE de m e9e I S
My sU e-- rA pow r 0, t-a e =PSK31 DelubiV4.0
Ide
E a Loop, 6BTV, G5RV, IOIo, locator = IO93CU and web www.ham=ediooperator.blogspot.compi r ToeiE de 2E0HTS Ke e (be
I am looseing your signal not very good cpy now.
I will email you.
BTU 2E0HTS DE N3TEE BK
N3TEE N3TEE de 2E0HTS 2uTS
Tegrnuewn TNX for th qSO it is a pleasure AI hope we make it agn soon
73 all the best and tnx ag
Ne£TEE d l2E0HTS SC e i.e.,i.e. E
Thanks again Simon I get out your blog.
73 2E0HTS DE N3TEE Have a nice Day and thank you for the nice QSO SK
CWID: de N3TEE
Bye Bye Î wn Good ONE ne3TEE de 2E0HT
Tnx to Shawn and everyone else I have been working using PSK31 Deluxe v4.0 and listen out for 2E0HTS in the very near future on the PSK bands.
Latest Satellite confirmed QSL cards<As usual the radio's have been in use during the evenings after a days work and I have been working various Bands and Modes making some good QSOs.
I also made a number of QSO's into the USA via Echolink. During one of the QSO's I tried to arrange a PSK sched with N3TEE-Shawn, but with one or two QSB issues we still have to make the QSO. Echolink can be a very useful tool for arranging radio contacts with DX Stations.
I also received two nice QSL Cards sent direct to me confirming Satellite Contacts from AO-51 and VO-52. The Cards were from IK3VZS-Vinicio and EA3AGH-Jose, Thanks Guys my QSL cards have been posted and should be with you soon!
With the propagation offering some reasonable evening openings and my Amateur satellite addiction still maintaining a good hold over my radio operations, I had to get back on HF and give my FT-767 a good airing off.h.i. So I have tried to do what us Men are not supposed to be able too do which is multi-tasking. I did this in the form of sending PSK on HF via the FT-767, and at the same time I tracked and worked a few Satellites . It worked out well with the one Microphone to work with in my hand, whilst using my Nomic Rig blaster in a semi automatic mode interfaced to my P.C. ( How many of us Hams have tried returning with an over holding the wrong microphone? h.i Me for one!
Here is the Waterfall in full flow as I receive lots of big signals from around the Globe using WinPSKse. Here My most recent log entry's are showing various methods of making QSOs with some nice DX being worked at the same time. click on Log to Enlarge WinLog32 Thanks to all of you that have been emailing me telling me about your Satellite antenna's, Home brew projects and general radio news. Please continue to communicate with myself, all emails, information, advice and idea's are appreciated.
Computers have been running many amateur radio programs since the birth of the P.C. I have always tried to keep reasonably up to date with most software and recently decided to give my Intel Dual Core 3800 some new hardware which was to be some more Ram memory and a HD Graphics adaptor.
I compared the required hardware on the net where I got a good insight into the specifications available as well as the costs. Once I new what I wanted, I set off to my local shop and came away with both. 1 gig of ram memory(DDR) this was to compliment the existing memory, now doubling up to give 2 gigabytes of ram memory. The graphics adaptor is a NVDIA 9600 GT 512 Megabytes HD card, I fitted it and with both items installed correctly the computer should give excellent performance.
With the new hardware installed i decided to back up my logs/data and then I formatted the C: drive completely wiping it clean ready for a fresh install.
The re-installation takes some time but is well worth it once all software/drivers are updated giving fast and reliable performance for a long time, whilst running all my favorite radio programs.
Here the mother board is exposed displaying the dual core processor(3800), the creative sound card used for all radio software and the ram hidden under the harnesses. The NVIDIA GT 9600 512MB Card before the installation.
